The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) clarified that it has not raised the heightened alert status following the instruction of AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. to prepare for a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

In a statement by AFP on Wednesday, the military emphasized that Brawner's recent statement is not a response to an imminent threat to national security, but rather focuses on the AFP's mandate to prepare for the protection of Filipinos.

“These orders, focused on preparedness, are rooted in the AFP’s fundamental mandate: to protect Filipinos and secure our territory,” the statement read.

“The guidance was not a response to an imminent threat nor a declaration of heightened alert, but rather a prudent measure to ensure readiness for potential scenarios,” it added.

Brawner previously explained that around 250,000 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) could be caught in the conflict and would need to be rescued in the event of a war in Taiwan.

The AFP explained that it is their duty to establish strategic plans for various types of security scenarios.

Moreover, the AFP reiterated that its actions are in direct alignment with the military's constitutional mandate.